Open Site
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Open-Site project is a free internet encyclopedia founded in 2002 by Michael J. Flickinger in an effort to build a free categorized community-built encyclopedia, inspired by the Open Directory Project. The Open Site software is open source under the Mozilla Public License.
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[edit] Category system
The Open Encyclopedia Project, as it is otherwise known, is created with an ontology based on that of Open Directory Project, of which it is a spin-off.
Open Site has the following main 'top-level' categories under which most content is placed in several layers of subcategories.
- Arts - covering creative pursuits and entertainment.
- Business - covering business and finance.
- Computers - covering computers and the internet.
- Games - covering video games and various other games.
- Health - covering human health and animal health.
- Home - covering the home and family.
- Recreation - covering recreation and leisure.
- Regional - covering countries and localities.
- Science - covering social sciences, mathematics and science.
- Society - covering people and society.
- Sports - covering various sports, including soccer and baseball.
In addition to these major topical English categories, the Open Site Encyclopedia also has the following other 'top-level' categories.
- International - contains the encyclopedia in several other languages.
- News - updates on current events.
- Kids - a children's internet encyclopedia in several languages.
[edit] Open Site Public Forum
The Open Site Public Forum was opened in May 2004 by Chris Poskitt, who is an editor at Open Site. The forum was created to provide a channel of communication between the general public and the Open Site editors.
The forum was originally created for editors and the public to discuss general Open Site issues, queries about becoming an editor and possible abuse in the project. However, it has also begun to host topical discussions on the topics covered by Open Site in addition to areas for discussions in non-English languages.
The forum is unofficial and is maintained by a number of senior Open Site editors. Because it is unofficial, it will most likely remain online if the Open Site server ever crashes, so editors and the public will have a place to go to find out what is wrong.
Currently, the forum software is phpBB 2.0.11, but has been heavily modified. The forum is hosted by Robert Oschler.
[edit] External links
- Open Site Public Forum
- Michael Flickinger's Editor Profile
- Chris Poskitt's Editor Profile
- Robert Oschler's Editor Profile
- Open Site's History
[edit] Using Open Site data
Open Site states that "the data of the project is and will remain available under a free license". However, it is unclear what that free licence is, and whether it would meet the criteria for open content, or be compatible with copyleft licences.
The live pages and an RDF format are both available to use, provided an appropriate notation is provided. At least five websites currently use Open Site data.
[edit] Open Site Kids' Encyclopedia
In August 2004 Open Site launched a children's encyclopedia based on the Open Site Encyclopedia and the Kids and Teens Open Directory Project. It was formed by a group of editors from both projects and was the idea of Open Site Meta Editor and Open Directory Project KCatmv editor lufiaguy.
The encyclopedia, currently unnamed, aims to provide mostly original content written specifically for children. However, it is currently only at a production stage.
[edit] Open Site charter
Open Site operates under a charter written by the founders of Open Site when it started in 2002. The key elements of the charter are:
- Everyone has the right to apply to become an editor and to become involved in the project.
- Everyone has the right to use Open Site data with few restrictions.
- Everyone has the right to access and discuss policies and guidelines.
- Everyone has the right to hold and express their own personal opinions in discussion.
- The Open Site community will manage itself.
- Everyone has the right to choose when and how they contribute to the project.
- Everyone has the right to propose and submit content to the encyclopedia.
[edit] Changes and Developments
During 2005, a considerable number of previously very active editors (some 'metas' or senior editors) reduced their contributions to the OEP. It is uncertain why this happened but a major server crash in mid 2005 lost (or more correctly misplaced) considerable content and damaged the linkages between sections and categories. Enthusiasm wained as editors had to 'redo' considerable areas of content. In addition, a number of new active editors joined and some tensions appeared in respect to future directions.
The rise of Wikipedia was often hotly debated and a number of editors moved their energies into the Wiki world.
At the end of 2005 there were about 170 active editors at the OEP, many in international languages (such as Italian).
The OEP will be closely examining its future during 2006. It has significant content within its covers and it would be sad for it to be lost. New initiatives in the online encyclopaedia domain during 2006 will place even more pressure on its continued existence.
